A/N: Here is the next chapter. I didn't get any reviews, but I would like to thank the those who added this story to their alerts.
I would like to say that these chapters are for the most part unedited. I have no beta (would love one) so it is just me and I know my grammar sometimes sucks. That being said, I still hope you enjoy the story. Please read autors note at bottom.
Disclaimer: not my characters.
It was just two days before the Seattle concert. Two days before she would be able to see her dad and Alice for the first time in over 8 months. Two days till she had a little time to actually relax. She was so excited she could barely contain herself.
Since she found out that she was going to be able to relax with her cousin she had been practically bouncing off the walls and it was only getting worse the closer they got to the show. Occasionally the band or other members of the tour would look at her and just laugh. The girl they were seeing now was so different than what many of them were used to they weren't sure how else to react.
She had just finished her sound check and bounced off the stage to go relax. She was so lost in her world she didn't notice her lead guitarist following her till she got to her room and Emmett pointed him out.
"Oh hey Sam, what's up?" she asked.
"Um, I was wondering if I could talk to you for a minute?" he asked nervously.
"Yeah sure." She replied. Emmett just clapped Sam on the back and walked down the hall. Bella led the way into her room backstage and sat on one sofa gesturing for Sam to sit on another.
"Well, um…" Sam began, fidgeting with his hands.
His nervous fidgeting was making Bella nervous too. "Sam what's going on?"
He continued to fidget nervously for another moment before seeming to find his resolve. "Well you know Emily, my wife, is pregnant." Bella nodded in response urging him to continue. "Well about a week and a half ago she went into early labor." At this Bella gasped, she didn't know exactly when Emily was due but knew it was not for at least a few months. Way too early to have the baby.
Sam continued quickly, seeing the worried look on Bella's face. "She's okay now, they were able to stop the labor. But, um, the thing is she has to be on bed rest from now on and she needs someone there most of the time and um…. I talked to the record label and everything and I am leaving tomorrow. I am so sorry but I just know that I can't leave her like that and…."
"Sam, it's okay. I wish you would have told me sooner, I'm sorry I haven't noticed. I'm sure this has been bothering you and I am sorry for not paying more attention. As for needing to leave, you should be with your wife. I know you love touring, and you seem worried about leaving us but I promise I understand. Just like everyone else."
"I knew you would, I just didn't want to add anymore stress at first, then I saw you happy for the first time in months and I didn't want to ruin that. But seeing as I am leaving tomorrow, I figured I needed to tell you."
"I wish you wouldn't have worried about me but thank you. I hope everything goes well." Bella said not sure what else she could say. "Now let's get ready for this show tonight. Then you get to go home and make midnight runs for Ben & Jerry's." Bella continued trying to lighten the mood.
"Yeah" Sam whispered with a small content smile on his face as he left the room.
After Sam left Bella simply stared in the mirror. She used to always be able to read people well, especially those she was around more often. The fact that Sam was dealing with something so major, and she failed to notice really bothered her.
"Hey, it's about time for your people to get here. You doing ok?" Emmett asked as he joined her.
She looked at him through the mirror. "I've been really selfish lately, haven't I?" she asked, nervous for the answer.
"No, you've been preoccupied." He answered. She was unable to look at him for very long, so he spoke again. "Look I know you. You're probably beating yourself up right now for missing the signs of what was going on. But the truth is he was trying really hard to not let you know." Emmett said.
"why?"
"Because everyone here knows how run down you've been lately. He also knew that telling you would only add to your stress. You care about everyone on this tour, which is good, but sometimes you need to focus on yourself and he knew that telling you would only make you worry about something you couldn't control. He was trying to protect you." Emmett explained.
"He shouldn't worry about protecting me. I can handle… things." She said, defending herself.
"I know that, so does he. That doesn't mean that we are going to stop trying to protect you. You have a family on the road, and family takes care of their own. Get used to it, chica." Emmett said earning a small smile from Bella. They were interrupted then by her hair dressers and makeup artists, so Emmett took that as his cue to leave, but not before she gave him something to do.
After the concert she gathered everyone in the holding room to take a picture and make an announcement.
"As I am sure you all know by now, our fabulous lead guitarist, Sam Uley will be leaving us in the morning. I am also sure we wish it was for different reasons, but I would still like to celebrate his time with us." She said, as Emmett brought two large cakes in. "I would like to say thank you for all you have done and I wish you and Emily and your baby all the best. You be safe and take care of your family back home. Your road family will truly miss you." she finished looking at Emmett, while everyone else around her cheered.
They finished the night telling jokes and stories of Sam's time on the road. Before she left for the night she said one final goodbye to Sam.
"I want to hear when you guys have that baby."
"You will, and thank you. You be safe too, Bella."
She went back to her hotel ready to head to Seattle in the morning.
It had finally arrived the night of the Seattle concert. She was done with her sound check and was just waiting for her dad and cousin to get there. She was so happy and nervous she couldn't sit still. Finally the door to her dressing room opened, revealing her family. She stood there for a moment, unable to believe she was finally seeing them again. Finally she and Alice launched toward each other at the same moment.
"Oh my god, I can't believe you're finally here." Bella said with tears in her eyes.
"I know, I thought this day would never come." Alice said, crying as well.
When they pulled back, Bella looked up at her dad, causing more tears to stream down her face as she moved to hug him. "Daddy."
"Hey baby girl." He said, choking up. He wasn't one to normally show emotions, but seeing his daughter so emotional truly got to him.
"Thank you for coming." She said as she pulled away.
"You know you don't have to thank me, you're my daughter of course I came." He replied.
They were interrupted by a knock.
"Sorry but we really need to get you ready." Her assistant, Angela, said.
"Well that's my cue, see you after." Charlie said, kissing her on the forehead then turning to leave.
"Can Alice stay?" Bella asked, when she got no objections she drug Alice into the room while Emmett led Charlie away.
Bella was getting her hair fixed while she and Alice talked. Alice was suddenly very quiet, which caused Bella to worry. "Hey what's up?"
"You know those girls I told you about at my school?"
"The ones who treat you like crap?" Alice nodded. "Yeah, what about them?"
"They have backstage passes for tonight." Alice whispered. "So I might disappear for a while later."
"What, Alice you don't have to. I would much rather you be around than them."
"I know I don't have to. I just want to leave this as uncomplicated as possible. And I figure the best way to do that is to just not be there." She knew Bella was about to interrupt so she kept going first. "I know you hate that but if they find out I know you they are going to either give me shit or try to use me to get close to you and I just… it's just easier if they don't know."
"Okay. I just hate that you feel like you have to keep this a total secret. I mean I don't want the whole world knowing, and have paparazzi bothering you, but isn't there someone you could talk to. One friend, you know someone you can bitch to when I don't call or when the tabloids start talking shit" Isabella asked, joking at the end, earning a small smile from Alice.
"No, I don't really have any friends. No one wants to go against the queen bee and risk being the subject of the torment." Alice explained
"No one, there has to be at least one person. What about that guy, the not bad, bad boy. What was his name…? Edward, what about him?"
"I am not telling that stupid prick." Alice exclaimed.
"Okay, last I checked you were sorta acquaintance – friends what happened?" Bella asked, surprised by Alice's outburst.
"Nothing."
"Oh come on, I know something happened just tell me." Bella begged. Alice gave her the look, the look that let her know it had to do with Isabella. "Just tell me, I'll be fine, I promise."
"Well… he may have said something, and I may... or may not have, slapped him… twice. And there may have been an argument." Alice said, not looking at Bella.
"What the hell did he say that made you slap him… twice at that? And please don't try to sugarcoat it."
"It was right after I heard Tanya talking about the concert tickets, and then she was being her nasty self to I went out behind the school and he was there. At first it was fine then I mentioned about a concert and he figured out which one I was talking about and he said some nasty things about you." Alice finished in a huff, leaving out just what he said which did not go unnoticed by Bella.
"Just what did he say, and don't try to tell me you don't remember, I know you better than that." Bella warned.
"I had just mentioned Tanya and the concert and he said 'Jesus Christ, what the hell is with you girls, you all act like she walks on water or something. When in reality she is just another trashy little bitch who slept her way to a record contract.' So I slapped him. Then he called you a slut when we were arguing so I slapped him again" Alice told her reluctantly.
"Alice you know he's not the only one who thinks those things. I mean you know they aren't true, so why did you get so mad?" Bella asked.
"Because they aren't true, but people still spew that shit like they know you. And I know there are other people who say the same shit and if I meet them I will be sure to slap them too. He just happened to be there and catch me at a bad time. Plus I don't want to be friends with someone who thinks that about you."
"Well thank you for defending me. Now it is time for a concert. Let's go." Bella said, getting them on a lighter topic.
The concert that night was one of the best. The crowd was amazing, she had her family there and she was going to be able to relax tomorrow. Life was amazing.
The concert ended and Emmett met her off stage. She looked around for Alice and her dad but didn't see them.
"Angela took them back to your room, they will meet you there." Emmett informed her. She wasn't really surprised by the news, just disappointed. She would happily introduce Alice as her family to the people who had been tormenting Alice for years.
She moved to where the meet and greet was taking place and started to sign autographs and take pictures with fans. There was one group that was being rude acting like they were better than the others there. She finally made it to them.
"Hi" the leader said. "I'm Tanya, it's so good to finally meet you." She said, as if they had known each other some other way and were just meeting face to face.
"Hi, nice to meet you as well." Isabella said, having to fake a smile for the first time that night.
"The concert was so great. You are just so talented. But of course you know that. I mean how could you not." Tanya rambled.
"Thank you" Isabella replied, not really sure what else to say. At that point a little girl in pig tails came up to her asking for an autograph. Before she could do anything Tanya snapped at the girl.
"Excuse you, don't you see we are talking here. You stupid little brat. Go away and leave us alone, nobody wants you here especially not Isabella." Tanya bit at the little girl. Before she could correct Tanya the little girl ran away with tears in her eyes. "God stupid little kids." Tanya said.
"excuse me, I don't know who you think you are to speak for me like that, you do not know me and I would most certainly be around that little girl than you." Bella said icily.
"What, but she was just a stupid little girl." Tanya said shocked that Isabella would say such a thing.
"Firstly just because she is little doesn't make her stupid, secondly I happen to want fans like her around. Goodbye" Bella said before walking away to find the little girl, ignoring Tanya calling her name.
She turned to Emmett who was next to her, "call Angela and have her bring me a backpack filled with merchandise." He quickly did as he was asked.
They found the little girl and her family just about to walk out the main exit. She called out to stop them and noticed the little girl still crying lightly and her parents looking very mad.
"Hi, I am so sorry for what happened back there." She said to the parents, and then turned to the little girl. "Hi, I'm Isabella, but you can call me Bella. What's your name?"
"Amelia"
"That's a very pretty name. I'm sorry that girl back there was mean to you. She was very wrong when she said I didn't want you there. I am very happy you came to see the concert."
"But she's your friend."
"No I just met her tonight, like a lot of other people. Like I just met you tonight. But you want to know a secret?" Amelia just nodded. "I like you lots better than her." At this Amelia smiled.
Angela walked up to her then handing her a back pack. "She shouldn't have said those things and I am very sorry she upset you. I wish I could go back and make it better but I can't. I do have a backpack with a bunch of goodies in it, would you like that?" Amelia nodded again.
"Okay how about I sign the backpack? Should I put to Amelia?" Bella asked.
"Amy, everyone calls me Amy."
"Amy it is then." Bella said signing the backpack with her stage name. She then looked in the bag to see what else was in there. Upon seeing a poster she pulled it out. "Would you like me to sign this too?"
"Yes please." On the poster she signed not only her stage name but her preferred, shortened name as well.
"Here you go" Bella said handing the bag to the girl's father.
"Bella?" Amy called.
"Yes?"
"Can I take a picture with you, please" Amy asked nervously.
"Of course." Bella went over to the Amy. "First let's get rid of these tears. It's a picture you have to smile. Tears are only allowed if you're laughing really hard"
Bella then took several pictures with the girl. A few even had her parents or Emmett looking all tough.
Before the family left the mom stopped to talk to Bella. "Thank you"
"For what"
"For being the young woman my daughter thought you were. Not who that other girl thought you were."
"You don't need to thank me for that. I am truly sorry that she had that bad impression of me even for a short time. I really do wish I could rewind time and change it." Bella said sincerely.
"I know, I am just glad my daughter looks up to such a genuine person. It doesn't always seem like there are a lot out there." Amy's mom said before leaving.
After that Bella simply didn't have the energy to go back to the meet and greet so she retreated to her room, where Alice and her dad were waiting. Upon entering the room she went straight to the couch and collapsed.
"That girl from your class, what's her name again?" Bella asked.
"Tanya." Alice answered suspiciously.
"And what does she look like?"
"Strawberry blond hair, skinny, lots of makeup, normally skimpy clothes. Why?" Alice inquired.
"Yep that was here. Total bitch."
"Isabella" Charlie scolded her, while Alice snickered. "That is not nice to say about someone."
"What she is. She sent a little girl running in tears just because she asked for an autograph while I was speaking to her. And when I say little girl, I mean little, like 7 years old. She told the girl I didn't want her there. So yeah, sorry dad but she's a bitch."
Charlie was at a loss of what to say, so Alice stepped up. "She really is horrible Uncle Charlie. She thinks she is better than everyone else."
"Fine, fine. But I don't want to hear either of you talking like that anymore. Even if it may be true." Charlie scolded them both gently.
Before they could talk anymore Emmett stopped by to take them to the hotel for the night.
As she crawled into bed, Bella felt relieved that she had a short day tomorrow and that her family was there to share it with her.
A/N: I am still working on the next chapter. I hope to have it posted by Friday, if not then, no later than next Tuesday, I promise.
The next chapter will mostly focus on Edward but it should also be where Edward and Bella meet.
I know that I have taken forever in the past to update. I am sorry for that. From here on out I am going to try and update at least once a week, I stress the word try. I am going to finish this story. I am still writing the chapters but I have a rather detailed outline (so I know where this story is going) and there are certain important pieces of the story that I have already written, so it will get finished. Thank you all for reading. Please review.
AlantaMire
